HTTYD: Healing Part 1

It was unbelievable.

She was gone.

How could someone so full of life...so happy with what she had be gone in a matter of seconds?
Hiccup shivered as he tried to control the raking sobs that shook his body. It wasn't fair. What made it worse? It was his fault. All his fault...He didn't even get to apologize...

He bit his lip hard as, through the tears, he saw Toothless comforting Blue, who was whining weakly, trying to reach the broken form of her owner. It was then that he heard it. Rubbing a hand across his eyes roughly to dispose of the moisture and to clear his eyesight, he glanced down at Astrid.

He was sure he'd just... No. That was ridiculous... But he felt a tiny spark of hope rise in his chest, and he gently laid his head against the area where her heart would be.

"Come on" his whispered through numb lips, feeling desperation hit him once more. And then he felt it...A heartbeat. It was faint, but it was there. She was alive.

Hiccup stared in shock for a moment, unable to comprehend that she was actually alive, that drop seemed impossible to survive... and the impact of the rocks... A small smile twitched his lips however, because, it was Astrid after all, it seemed only natural that she wouldn't let this fall break her.

"T-Toothless, B-Blue" he stammered, his teeth chattering from the cold. "S-she's alive" A-astrid's a-alive!" he broke off at a shaky laugh at the end, and hesitantly checked Astrid for the injuries she would undoubtedly have.

Almost immediately, the two dragons were by his side, staring intently down at the Viking in his arms.

"We need to get her to the Healer" Hiccup instructed, though he was reluctant to hurt her, not wanting to damage her body any more. He eventually let out a small sigh and stood slowly, cradling her body close to him still, being careful to make sure he didn't move too awkwardly. Toothless lay down flat, allowing Hiccup to clamber onto his back, Astrid held close to him still. "Steady Toothless" Hiccup instructed. "I don't want to hurt her any more than she already is"

Toothless nodded his head once and carefully began to walk back towards the village, Blue moving alongside him, glancing at Astrid in obvious worry.

"It's okay Blue" Hiccup attempted to pacify, his teeth chattering lightly at the icy cold air. "Once we get her to the healer… she'll be healing in no time…"

Blue let out a small whine, signifying that although that may have been the case, she was still going to worry about her human.

Hiccup glanced down at Astrid's form, feeling guilt creep over him once more. She was never supposed to look like this… so… weak. It just wasn't Astrid, it was so wrong.

As the village came into view, he fought back the sudden fatigue which threatened to overcome him. He could rest later, right now he needed to make sure Astrid would be okay.

"Fishlegs!" He shouted, spotting the blonde Viking. He was surprised at how hoarse his voice sounded. Fishlegs turned in confusion before his eyes widened and he hurried over towards them.

"Hiccup? Astrid? What happened to her?" he asked in worry, looking up at his friend.

"Rogue dragon" Hiccup tried to explain tiredly. "Bad fall… Can you go and tell the Healer we're on our way up? I want him to be prepared for her"

"Sure thing Hiccup" Fishlegs replied, casting one final worried glance at Astrid before scurrying towards the healers home.

As the two dragons passed through the villages, worried and confused whispers were passed around after seeing the broken form of Astrid lay in Hiccup's arms. Just ignore them, he told himself, once again fighting off a wave of fatigue, this time along with nausea. Just focus on Astrid.

After what seemed like eternity, they reached the healers home. Hiccup had debated on taking her back to her own home, but was not particularly willing to face her parent's wrath at this moment in time. Besides, it would be easier for the healer to help her if she was directly in his home. He slid from Toothless's back, lightly easing Astrid from him also, and limped towards the door, lightly knocking on the wood with his prosthetic.

"Inside, inside!" the healer ushered, opening up the door. Hiccup quickly moved inside and laid Astrid down upon a bed, being careful to not jostle her too much.

"What happened?" The healer demanded, shutting the door on the indignant dragons, and Hiccup sank slowly into a seat and began to retell the story.

"She went fighting a rogue dragon on her own… she was knocked off from Blue and fell down onto the rocks pretty hard… I thought she was dead" he explained, his voice breaking on the last word.

The healer nodded, moving over to inspect Astrid.

"She may have back trauma… You" he barked, pointing at Fishlegs, who was hovering nervously behind Hiccup. The redhead started, having not seen his friend in the room with them.

"Y-yes?" Fishlegs asked, twisting his hands together.

"Go and fetch her parents" The healer instructed. "The young Haddock has a lot to tell them"

As Fishlegs quickly made for the door, Hiccup flinched at the thought of explaining the situation to Astrid's parents, but after glancing at her seemingly peaceful figure, he couldn't  help but feel a large sense of relief.